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xkcd #2908: Moon Armor Index (imgs.xkcd.com)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Alt text:

Astronomers are a little unsure of the applicability of this index, but NASA's Planetary Protection Officer is all in favor.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I mean this does have a practical application, I think. The relative masses of moons to planets does imply the moons ability to sweep junk out of the way before it hits the planet.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

This is not based on mass but on volume. For example the moon is only 1% of the earth's mass yet considerably less dense therefore it makes a thicker layer.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

*imply

Sure. By even the density/mechanical properites of armor will affect its usefulness. Beyond simple thickness.